Time-switch.



J. M. GHAPPEL.

TIME SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED 0011s, 1909.

1,052,408. Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

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J. M. CHAPPEL.

TIME SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED 0OT.13, 1909.

Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @FFIGE.

JAMES M. GHAPPEL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY LIESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO PREMIER ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TIME-SWITCH.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JAMES M. CHAPPEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the borough of Brooklyn and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Time-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in time-switches, and the object is to provide a simple and effective time-controlled mechanism of improved construct-ion for automatically and simultaneously operating a plurality of electric switches through the medium of a single clock-mechanism and motor, thereby controlling a three-wire lighting system.

With the above object in view my invention consists in the novel features of construction hereinafter fully described, particularly pointed out in the claims, and clearly illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a face view of the complete mechanism and switches, with the inclosing case; Fig. 2, a sectional view through the setting-dial and the train of gears for revolving the same; Fig. 3, a face view of the dial, the adjustable tripping-members carried thereby, and the locking-member; Fig. at, a view of the locking-member; Fig. 5, a view of one of the tripping-members; Fig. 6, a sectional detail view of the ratchet-connection between each disk and gear, and Fig. 7, a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of the switches in connection with a three-wire lighting system.

In carrying out my invention, I may utilize the clock-mechanism, motor, tripping-mechanism and other structure described, illustrated, and claimed in my Patent 996,616 granted July 4, 1911, on an application filed by me September 21, 1908, Serial No. 453,967. The setting-dial, tripping-members and locking-member illustrated in the present application are shown and described, but not claimed specifically in the application referred to. They are claimed herein. The structure illustrated and described in said prior application does its work eifectively, that is, operates a single snap-switch. With the changes and modifi cations forming the subject1natter of the present application, I have provided a mechanism which will simultaneously operate two snap-switches, thereby controlling all Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 13, 1909.

Patented Feb. 4,1913.

Serial No. 522,455.

of the lights in a, three-wire lighting system.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a spring motor; a time mechanism comprising a clock mechanism, a setting mechanism, and a tripping device; a motor retaining and releasing mechanism; and two switches; the whole being compactly arranged in a single case 1.

The time-mechanism consists of a clockmovement 2 of common type with the usual hour dial (not illustrated) and hands. A settingdial 3 is provided graduated to represent twenty-four hours and fractions thereof. This dial is removably secured on the hub of a gear 4 which meshes with a pinion 5 driven by the clock-movement, the arrangement being such that the dial makes one complete revolution in twenty-four hours. Fitting on the same hub with the dial, are arms 6 which may be swung to any point on the dial, said arms each carrying a cam tripping-portion projecting beyond the periphery of the dial. These arms, of which there may be two or more, carry projections or pins 7 which enter depressions 8 formed in the face of the dial, thus holding said arms in the desired adjustment relative to the dial. For holding the arms with their pins in the depressions of the dial, a locking-member 9 is provided which is threaded on the outer portion of the hub with a spring 10 interposed between it and the arms. This locking-member is provided at each end with perforations in which some convenient tool or other article may be inserted for the purpose of screwing or unscrewing it to lock or unlock the trippingarms.

Pivoted in the clock-frame is a pin 11 carrying an arm 12 to which the operatingrod 13 is connected, the other end of the rod being operatively-connected with the releasing-mechanism of the motor. The operating-lever is formed of two parts, 14 and 15, slidably connected by means of a slot 16 and pins 16. The part 14 is pivotallvmounted on the pin 11, while the part 15 carries a pin 15 which rides on the periphery of the dial, and is lifted by the cam projections of the tripping-arms. The tripping of the motor is effected by raising and lowering of the operating-rod as fully setforth in the application hereinbefore referred to. To trip the motor by hand at any time the operating-lever may be raised and dropped. lVhen said lever is on the incline of the tripping-arms 6, the part 15 of the former is lifted and moved on part 14 until it may be dropped in rear of the inclined port-ion. A spring 17 holds said part 15 in its normal position.

Carried by the winding-arbor of the motor is a gear-wheel 18 (shown and described as gear 38 in my said prior application).

19 designates two vertically-arranged shafts having pinions 20 at each end. The pinions carried at one end of said shafts mesh with gear 18, while those at thelr opposite ends mesh with gears 21 mounted on short-shafts 22 depending into the switchcompartment of the casing. The shafts 22 project below the faces of the gears 21, and fitting loosely thereon are disks 23 hollowed out on their inner faces to incase springpressed pawls 241, and formed with ratchetteeth with which said pawls engage. These disks are held on the shafts by sleeves 25 threaded on the ends of the latter, spring washers 26 being interposed. Each disk 23 has depending therefrom, two diametricallyoppositely placed headed studs 27. Each switch 28 is connected with one of the disks by a detachable connecting-member 29, slotted to be inserted on the headed studs and having two depending arms 30 to straddle the key of the switch. The switches may be readily connected with the disks or disconnected therefrom by placing the members 29 with the arms thereof straddling the keys and then turning the disks until the studs carried thereby are in position to enter the slots of said connecting-members. The ratchet-connections permit the movement of the disks so that the switches may be connected without changing the position of the keys. Further the motor may be wound without effecting the movement of the switches.

It will be understood that at the predetermined times the motor will be tripped, and that the gear 18 will be revolved, imparting motion to the gears 21 and thus simultaneously operate both of the switches to throw the lights on or off.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a time-switch, the combination of a clock-mechanism, a hub, a rotary-member secured to said hub and actuated by the clock-mechanism to make a complete revolution once in twenty-four hours, said member being graduated into hours and fractions thereof and provided adjacent to said graduation with indentations, tripping-arms mounted on said hub to swing over the face of said member, projections on said arms for engaging said indentations, cam-tripping portions at the outer ends of said arms projecting beyond the periphery of said. member, an elongated manually-operated locking-member threaded at its center upon said hub and operative when screwed down to engage said arms and force said projections into said indentations, suitable engaging means for a tool or the like at the outer ends of said locking-member whereby it may be readily screwed or unscrewed, a motor, means actuated by said cam-tripping portions upon said tripping-arms to release said motor, and a switch operatively connected with said motor.

2. In a time-switch, the combination of a clock-mechanism, a gear-wheel meshing with said clock-mechanism and having a hub screw-threaded at its outer end, a dial mounted on said hub and graduated into hours and fractions thereof and having indentations on its face adjacent to said graduations, tripping-arms mounted to turn on said hub, pins on said tripping-arms for entering said indentations, cam-tripping portions at the outer ends of said arms projecting beyond the periphery of said dial, an elongated 1nanually-operated lockingmember threaded at its center upon the screw-threaded end of said hub, a coiled spring coiled about said hub and interposed between said arms and locking-member, suitable engaging means for a tool or the like at the outer ends of said locking-member whereby it may be readily screwed or unscrewed, a motor, means actuated by said cam-tripping portions at the outer ends of said cam-tripping arms to release said motor and a switch operatively connected with said motor.

3. In a time-switch, the combination of a clock mechanism, a rotary member actuated thereby, cam-tripping members carried by the rotary member, a two-part lever having one part pivotally mounted and the other part slidable thereon, said sliding part having an engaging-end arranged in the path of said cam tripping-members, a motor, means for normally holding said motor inactive, an operative connection between the sliding part of the lever and said holdingmeans, and a switch operatively connected with the motor.

4. A time switch comprising a casing, a clock mechanism in the upper portion of said casing, a motor mechanism in the middle of said casing, an electric switch in the base of said casing, operative connections between said motor mechanism and said electric switch, and mechanism connecting said clock and motor mechanisms and operative to trip the latter at pie-determined times, consisting of a rotary member actuated by the clock mechanism, cam tripping members carried by said rotary member, a two-part lever having one part pivotally mounted and the other part slidable thereon,

said sliding part having an engaging end arranged in the path of said tripping mem bers, a member adapted to be actuated by said lever, and a slender connection between said member and the motor mechanism.

5. A time switch comprising a casing and clock mechanism in the upper portion of said casing, a motor mechanism in the middle of said casing, a plurality of snap switches in the base of said casing, a rotary member actuated by said clock mechanism, cam tripping members carried by the rotary member, a two-part lever having one part pivotally mounted and the other part slidable thereon, said sliding part having an engaging end arranged in the path of said tripping members, a member adapted to be actuated by said lever, a slender connection between said member and said motor mechanism, gear wheels located beneath said motor mechanism directly above said snap switches respectively, a' main gear wheel driven by said motor mechanism when released, two shafts, pinions at the upper ends of said shafts meshing with said main gear wheel, pinions at the lower ends of said shafts meshing with said gear wheels above said snap switches respectively, and operative connections between said latter gear wheels and snap switches.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

J M. CHAPPEL. Witnesses WM. D. ZEHER, ARTHUR E. KRETZ.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

